Civilian killed in South Kashmir clashes

A civilian was killed while dozens of pro-freedom protesters were injured after they tried to march towards encounter site at Husanpora Arwani area of South Kashmir’s Bijbehara town on Thursday.
A gunfight had raged at Hussanpora village of Arwani after government forces had launched a search and cordon operation on Wednesday to flush out the militants reportedly trapped in a house. Militants had retaliated after government forces zeroed in on the house where they were present. Heavy exchange of fire continued between two sides intermittently since Thursday evening. The operation was halted for night and on Thursday morning, militants and government forces again exchanged fire.
Due to ban on internet and mobile phones in the area, conflicting reports stared pouring in about the operation against militants. Some reports said that three militants were killed. The news about the death of the militants sparked widespread protest in Hussanpora, Bijbehara, Vesoo and Newa in south Kashmir. The clashes left dozens injured.
The death of the three militants were not confirmed by any police official, however unconfirmed reports said that three local militants identified as Rahil Amin, Majid Zargar and Muhammad Waseem were present in the house and they are feared dead. Sources added that a large number of protesters who tried to march towards encounter site were stopped by government forces. The clashes between Forces and protesters resulted in the death of a civilian who has been identified as a 27 year old youth Muhammad Arif Shah son of Muhammad Amin a resident of Nayena Sangam.
Earlier, there were reports that Lashkar-e-Toiba Divisional Commander and most-wanted militant, Abu Dujana, has got trapped inside the house, the reports that proved incorrect later on.
In wake of the massive protests, authorities’ sanpped mobile services to block flow of information while train services were also suspended in south Kashmir.
A police official declined to comment on the results of the encounter saying nothing can be said at this moment. “There are reports that three militants have been killed but bodies have not been recovered yet,” he said.